Mardi Gras projects and activities

Children will love this Mardi Gras project – who does not
love masquerading around with a mask, pretending that they are somebody
else? Of course, first, they have to make the mask. There are many
different ways to go about making a mask – what you choose
depends completely on what you and your students or children want
to make. To make a mask, you will need cardboard to keep it from
bending (a cereal box will work). You can either create a template,
or have your students come up with their own mask designs. Draw
this onto the cardboard and cut it out (cardboard is difficult to
cut through – make sure that you help any children that need
it).

Now, you can take crepe paper or tissue paper (in green, purple,
and yellow, of course) or construction paper. You can cut it up
and glue it to your mask (or Modge Podge it to it) in what ever
design you want. You can even make your mask look like a butterfly.
Add glitter and feathers and sequins. Make sure that you have 2
holes cut out for the eyes (help with this). Now you just need to
tape to the side of the mask a stick (made from a stick, sturdy
straws, a wooden spoon, or whatever) so that your students can hold
it up. Voila.

Mardi Gras projects and activities – MAKE A KINGS
CROWN

Treat your students like royalty, and let them create their own
kings crowns. You just need some construction paper, scissors, and
tape or a stapler. Have your kids cut a piece of paper lengthwise
with jagged pointed edges. Now they can decorate it (with crayons,
glitter, sequins, feathers, etc.). Then simply curve the paper around,
decorations on the outside, and staple it together. For a more sturdy
crown, glue the construction paper to a long and thing piece of
cardboard paper right at the base.

Mardi Gras projects and activities – MAKE MARDI GRAS
BEADS

Alright, we have saved the best of the Mardi Gras projects and
activities for last. Who doesn’t love Mardi Gras beads? First
of all, you are going to need to make “clay beads.”
Here is an easy recipe.

· 2 cups flour
· 1 cup salt
· 2 Tbsp vegetable oil
· ¾-1 cup water

Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Mix the 2 cups of flour with the salt
and then add the oil and slowly add the water. Stir this concoction
until you have a good clay consistency. Now make the clay into the
desired shapes that you want. Do not forget to poke a big hole through
your clay beads so that you will be able to string them later –
you can use a straw or a toothpick). Cook the beads for about one
hour (the time varies depending on how thick your beads are. Do
not make them too thick, because then they will crack while baking).

Once your beads have cooled down, paint your beads green, purple,
and gold (or yellow). Once they dry, string them up onto some yarn
or string. Now was not that an awesomely fun Mardi Gras project?